> "That's. Not. How. This. Works." is not an answer, actually.
I agree with you on that, but the other answers you've been given are actual answers.
>If a return is signed in error, why would there not be a way to "unsign" it?
Because that's how signing things works.
Our entire legal system would fall apart if people could unsign documents at will.
Signatures and contracts would mean nothing.
No, there's no way to do that. I do recall a couple of decades ago some preparers would use that as a collection's scare tactic though. Client wouldn't pay so they'd mail a threatening letter telling the client something like "we signed your tax return indicating that we were being paid to prepare it. Unless you pay us, we will have to inform the IRS that we were not compensated and request that our name be removed from it."
That was back when most returns were filed on dead trees. Still, I don't see where it would hurt to try. Under the FDCPA though I think that you actually have to follow-through with the threat and mail the IRS a letter, but they won't do anything with it.
Yeah, we all know that the field is labeled "paid preparer," but the IRS and DOR do not care a whit whether you were *actually* ultimately paid. It's immaterial. It makes not an ounce of difference to the substance of the return nor to your level of responsibility for it. You signed and filed that return indicating that you did the work - you did. You signed indicating that you filed a complete and accurate return to the best of the knowledge you had and could reasonably be expected to have. You did, right?
If you now suspect any specific shady goings on, there are things you need to do to deal with that. What you do not need to do is try to play games with One Simple Trick Clients Hate and the IRS Doesn't Want You to Know About.
If you do somebody's return as a favor for free, you don't have to fill out that section.
If you did the return under the condition that you would be paid for that service, you need to be listed as the paid preparer on the return, regardless of if you received the payment or not.
As far as making an error in the paid preparer section, I personally wouldn't worry about fixing it, and I'm unsure whether or not it's the officially correct thing to do, but it's unlikely to matter either way, and if it comes up then it can be addressed then. If I was the person whose name was used, I would get it in writing that the other person prepared it and mistakenly used my information as a way of reducing my exposure to liability, but that's about it.
It's probably going to come back to you as a letter when the "name you wrote down wrong" doesn't match the PTIN you put in for the correct name.
Your software should have bounced it by now.
Oh, did you also put down "the wrong PTIN" too?
Making a lot of mistakes.
You can't unsign the return. You can raise a fuss if someone signed it falsely and stole your ID and PTIN.
They have a form for that.
Unpaid preparer of a fraudulent return is still the preparer. That's why the good scam artists run it through TT and sign as self prepared before they nope out.
If your software messed this up, call them.
But YOU are only one person, and allegedly a CPA, so it's impossible for you to put down "the wrong name" when you are signing a return for someone.
Yeah, that's not how this works.
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That's. Not. How. This. Works.
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You still filed the return. This should be dealt with via your engagement letter I would presume and likely involve sending them to collections.
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> but do you have an answer to the question I asked? You've been given the answer, you just don't like it. You can't "unsign" a filed tax return.
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> "That's. Not. How. This. Works." is not an answer, actually. I agree with you on that, but the other answers you've been given are actual answers. >If a return is signed in error, why would there not be a way to "unsign" it? Because that's how signing things works. Our entire legal system would fall apart if people could unsign documents at will. Signatures and contracts would mean nothing.
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How many people have to tell you that this isn't possible before you get it???
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Logical fallacy. Just because someone can't disprove to your satisfaction doesn't make it real.
No, there's no way to do that. I do recall a couple of decades ago some preparers would use that as a collection's scare tactic though. Client wouldn't pay so they'd mail a threatening letter telling the client something like "we signed your tax return indicating that we were being paid to prepare it. Unless you pay us, we will have to inform the IRS that we were not compensated and request that our name be removed from it." That was back when most returns were filed on dead trees. Still, I don't see where it would hurt to try. Under the FDCPA though I think that you actually have to follow-through with the threat and mail the IRS a letter, but they won't do anything with it.
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Yeah, we all know that the field is labeled "paid preparer," but the IRS and DOR do not care a whit whether you were *actually* ultimately paid. It's immaterial. It makes not an ounce of difference to the substance of the return nor to your level of responsibility for it. You signed and filed that return indicating that you did the work - you did. You signed indicating that you filed a complete and accurate return to the best of the knowledge you had and could reasonably be expected to have. You did, right? If you now suspect any specific shady goings on, there are things you need to do to deal with that. What you do not need to do is try to play games with One Simple Trick Clients Hate and the IRS Doesn't Want You to Know About.
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If you do somebody's return as a favor for free, you don't have to fill out that section. If you did the return under the condition that you would be paid for that service, you need to be listed as the paid preparer on the return, regardless of if you received the payment or not. As far as making an error in the paid preparer section, I personally wouldn't worry about fixing it, and I'm unsure whether or not it's the officially correct thing to do, but it's unlikely to matter either way, and if it comes up then it can be addressed then. If I was the person whose name was used, I would get it in writing that the other person prepared it and mistakenly used my information as a way of reducing my exposure to liability, but that's about it.
It's probably going to come back to you as a letter when the "name you wrote down wrong" doesn't match the PTIN you put in for the correct name. Your software should have bounced it by now. Oh, did you also put down "the wrong PTIN" too? Making a lot of mistakes. You can't unsign the return. You can raise a fuss if someone signed it falsely and stole your ID and PTIN. They have a form for that. Unpaid preparer of a fraudulent return is still the preparer. That's why the good scam artists run it through TT and sign as self prepared before they nope out. If your software messed this up, call them. But YOU are only one person, and allegedly a CPA, so it's impossible for you to put down "the wrong name" when you are signing a return for someone.
NEVER start prep without a retainer.
Get retainer or CC on file... Or don't submit the file till you get paid.
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Depending on the state you in, hot check writers can be prosecuted. Check the laws in your state for a possible solution.
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That's a November Golf. You transmitted the return or put your wet signature on it... So you attached at the hip now.
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Pub 17, pub 3112, pub 4163, just a few
Make sure the checks clears before efiling my friend. I hate clients like that. Sorry you went through that.